Western Martial Arts
Encyclopedia
Western Martial Arts refers to formalized fighting techniques and skills of European
or generally Western
origin, as distinct from those originating in Asia.
The term "Western Martial Arts" refers to the study, recreation and preservation of combat skills developed in Europe or European colonies during the 14th through turn of the 20th centuries. These are often distinguished by the term Historical European Martial Arts
(HEMA). WMA usually refers to both historical martial arts that have fallen out of use and to an extent, traditional European martial arts and combat sports such as Boxing
, fencing, Savate
, quarterstaff
, singlestick
, Jogo do Pau
, Glima
and Runa Glima, catch-as-catch-can
or Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling
plus other forms of wrestling
, but may sometimes be used more narrowly (as a synonym for HEMA
), or more broadly to include other non-Asian arts like World War II combatives
and even Capoeira
.
, in Europe this is especially the case with traditional forms of wrestling, stick fighting
and knife combat associated with rural areas and/or with criminal subcultures. Conversely there are detailed manuals on some forms of sword combat, detailing practices that had fallen out of use, such as extensive Late Medieval to Early Modern corpus of literature on fencing. Since the 1980s
many old books have been found providing information about, or instruction in, martial arts no longer extant.
, are normally taught to students by qualified instructors. Enthusiasts and scholars of historical styles
which are considered to have no living masters from unbroken lineages attempt to recreate the art primarily using historical documents, supplemented by experience in existing living traditions, and practical experimentation, a process equivalent to that of other forms of experimental archaeology
; many students then learn from instructors who have gone through this process of reconstruction. Students are often encouraged to consult the original sources themselves, and instructors typically continue to revise their interpretations of historical styles through further study and practice.
, arming sword
, falchion
, dagger
, shield
, spear
, poleaxe, halberd
, and many other weapons, together with unarmed combat and wrestling. Later arts may teach fighting with the rapier
, smallsword, backsword
, quarterstaff
, pike
, or bayonet
. See Historical European Martial Arts
for more information.
19th and 20th century methods included the use of the cane, Bowie knife
, tomahawk
, sabre
, cutlass
, duelling sword, bayonet
and other weapons, as well as various forms of boxing
and wrestling
and the early mixed martial art Bartitsu
. Modern fencing with foil
, épée, and sabre
is based on traditional fencing with the duelling sword and sabre. Many of these modern arts are sports, and so considered by some to not strictly qualify as martial arts
.
and wrestling
can trace direct teacher-student lineages back into the Nineteenth century.
Bataireacht (also known as "Batadóireacht"), a mode of combat better known as Bata which employs the Irish walking stick or shillelagh, was long practiced in Ireland, especially during the 19th century, when the faction fights were widespread. (Something like a faction fight, transported with the Irish emigrants to America, can be seen in the film Gangs of New York
.) "Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha", a form of Batraireacht, was invented by the Doyle clan of Ireland, eventually moving to Newfoundland. Many other forms of Irish martial arts
were practiced in Ireland throughout the ages.
, fencing, archery
, and boxing continue some of the martial arts of Europe in modified sport form.
, are engaged in attempting to reconstruct Historical European Martial Arts using various training methods. Nineteenth and early twentieth century teachers whose martial arts are presently being reconstructed include Edward William Barton-Wright
, the founder of Bartitsu
; combat savate
and stick fighting
master Pierre Vigny
; London-based boxer and fencer Rowland George Allanson-Winn
; French journalist and self defence enthusiast Jean Joseph-Renaud; and British quarterstaff
expert Thomas McCarthy.
The Society for Creative Anachronism
has made its own reconstruction of medieval armored foot combat designed as a re-enactment friendly system, using real (modern-made) armor and weapons made largely of rattan, and regulated by a series of strict safety rules.http://mooneschadowe.ansteorra.org/newcomers/heavy.html. Members of some other reenactment groups may also pursue martial arts reconstruction, though the methods used in some reenacted battles are generally designed for safety and showmanship rather than historical accuracy.
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
or generally Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
origin, as distinct from those originating in Asia.
The term "Western Martial Arts" refers to the study, recreation and preservation of combat skills developed in Europe or European colonies during the 14th through turn of the 20th centuries. These are often distinguished by the term Historical European Martial Arts
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
(HEMA). WMA usually refers to both historical martial arts that have fallen out of use and to an extent, traditional European martial arts and combat sports such as Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, fencing, Savate
Savate
Savate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
, quarterstaff
Quarterstaff
A quarterstaff , also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon and a technique of stick fighting, especially as in use in England during the Early Modern period....
, singlestick
Singlestick
Singlestick, also known as cudgels, refers to both a martial art that uses a wooden stick as well as the weapon used in the art. It began as a way of training soldiers in the use of swords such as the sabre...
, Jogo do Pau
Jogo do Pau
Jogo do Pau is a Portuguese martial art which developed in the northern regions of Portugal , focusing on the use of a staff of fixed measures and characteristics. The origins of this martial art are uncertain, but its purpose was primarily self-defence...
, Glima
Glima
Glíma is the Icelandic national style of folk wrestling.There are four points that differentiate it from other forms of wrestling:*The opponents must always stand erect.*The opponents step clockwise around each other...
and Runa Glima, catch-as-catch-can
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
or Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, also known as Cumbrian Wrestling, is an ancient and well-practised tradition in Cumbria. It bears enough of a resemblance to Scottish Backhold, which is practised just north of the border, for them to be classed under the joint heading North Country...
plus other forms of wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, but may sometimes be used more narrowly (as a synonym for HEMA
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
), or more broadly to include other non-Asian arts like World War II combatives
World War II combatives
,World War II combatives are close quarters combat techniques, including hand-to-hand, advanced firearm point shooting methods, and weapons techniques that were taught to allied special forces in World War II by such famous instructors as Rex Applegate and William Ewart Fairbairn.Distinctions...
and even Capoeira
Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...
.
History
Martial arts often possess no formal, written histories, being transmitted from one generation to the next largely via oral traditionOral tradition
Oral tradition and oral lore is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants...
, in Europe this is especially the case with traditional forms of wrestling, stick fighting
Stick fighting
Stick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
and knife combat associated with rural areas and/or with criminal subcultures. Conversely there are detailed manuals on some forms of sword combat, detailing practices that had fallen out of use, such as extensive Late Medieval to Early Modern corpus of literature on fencing. Since the 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
many old books have been found providing information about, or instruction in, martial arts no longer extant.
Instruction
Western martial arts with active traditions of instruction, such as boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, are normally taught to students by qualified instructors. Enthusiasts and scholars of historical styles
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
which are considered to have no living masters from unbroken lineages attempt to recreate the art primarily using historical documents, supplemented by experience in existing living traditions, and practical experimentation, a process equivalent to that of other forms of experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material, like ancient structures or artifacts. It should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned...
; many students then learn from instructors who have gone through this process of reconstruction. Students are often encouraged to consult the original sources themselves, and instructors typically continue to revise their interpretations of historical styles through further study and practice.
Types
Earlier period arts include the use of the longswordLongsword
The longsword is a type of European sword designed for two-handed use, current during the late medieval and Renaissance periods, approximately 1350 to 1550 .Longswords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 cm length The longsword (of which stems the variation called the bastard...
, arming sword
Arming sword
The arming sword is the single handed cruciform sword of the High Middle Ages, in common use between ca. 1000 and 1500, possibly remaining in rare use into the 16th century...
, falchion
Falchion
A falchion is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin, whose design is reminiscent of the Persian scimitar and the Chinese dao....
, dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
, shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
, spear
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
, poleaxe, halberd
Halberd
A halberd is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. Possibly the word halberd comes from the German words Halm , and Barte - in modern-day German, the weapon is called Hellebarde. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on...
, and many other weapons, together with unarmed combat and wrestling. Later arts may teach fighting with the rapier
Rapier
A rapier is a slender, sharply pointed sword, ideally used for thrusting attacks, used mainly in Early Modern Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries.-Description:...
, smallsword, backsword
Backsword
A backsword is a sword with a blade on one edge, or an "edge-and-a-quarter." The back of the sword is often the thickest part of the blade and acts to support and strengthen it....
, quarterstaff
Quarterstaff
A quarterstaff , also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon and a technique of stick fighting, especially as in use in England during the Early Modern period....
, pike
Pike (weapon)
A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear used extensively by infantry both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown. Pikes were used regularly in European warfare from the...
, or bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
. See Historical European Martial Arts
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
for more information.
19th and 20th century methods included the use of the cane, Bowie knife
Bowie knife
A Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife first popularized by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie in the early 19th Century. Since the first incarnation was created by James Black, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although its...
, tomahawk
Tomahawk (axe)
A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Powhatan word.Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials...
, sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
, cutlass
Cutlass
A cutlass is a short, broad sabre or slashing sword, with a straight or slightly curved blade sharpened on the cutting edge, and a hilt often featuring a solid cupped or basket shaped guard...
, duelling sword, bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
and other weapons, as well as various forms of boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and the early mixed martial art Bartitsu
Bartitsu
Bartitsu is an eclectic martial art and self-defence method originally developed in England during the years 1898–1902. In 1901 it was immortalised by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories...
. Modern fencing with foil
Foil (fencing)
A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...
, épée, and sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
is based on traditional fencing with the duelling sword and sabre. Many of these modern arts are sports, and so considered by some to not strictly qualify as martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
.
Traditional styles
Some forms of European stick fightingStick fighting
Stick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
and wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
can trace direct teacher-student lineages back into the Nineteenth century.
Bataireacht (also known as "Batadóireacht"), a mode of combat better known as Bata which employs the Irish walking stick or shillelagh, was long practiced in Ireland, especially during the 19th century, when the faction fights were widespread. (Something like a faction fight, transported with the Irish emigrants to America, can be seen in the film Gangs of New York
Gangs of New York
Gangs of New York is a 2002 historical film set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of New York City. It was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. The film was inspired by Herbert Asbury's 1928 nonfiction book, The Gangs of New...
.) "Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha", a form of Batraireacht, was invented by the Doyle clan of Ireland, eventually moving to Newfoundland. Many other forms of Irish martial arts
Irish martial arts
There are a number of traditional martial arts styles native to Ireland.The Irish language term for "martial arts" is .Traditional styles include Dornálíocht , Coraíocht , Speachóireacht , and Batadóireacht .- Boxing :Dornálaíocht, pronounced "durn-awly-okt" is the Irish word for boxing, dorn...
were practiced in Ireland throughout the ages.
Modern sports
Wrestling, javelinJavelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
, fencing, archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, and boxing continue some of the martial arts of Europe in modified sport form.
Reconstruction
Many individuals and groups in various parts of the world, as well as institutions such as the Higgins Armory MuseumHiggins Armory Museum
Higgins Armory Museum, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, housed in a steel Art Deco Building, is one of the few museums in the Western Hemisphere devoted to arms and armour. The museum is a public, non-profit museum specializing in the history of arms and armor...
, are engaged in attempting to reconstruct Historical European Martial Arts using various training methods. Nineteenth and early twentieth century teachers whose martial arts are presently being reconstructed include Edward William Barton-Wright
Edward William Barton-Wright
Edward William Barton-Wright C.E., M.J.S. was a British entrepreneur specialising in both self defence training and physical therapy...
, the founder of Bartitsu
Bartitsu
Bartitsu is an eclectic martial art and self-defence method originally developed in England during the years 1898–1902. In 1901 it was immortalised by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories...
; combat savate
Savate
Savate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
and stick fighting
Stick fighting
Stick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
master Pierre Vigny
Pierre Vigny
Pierre Vigny was a French master-at-arms who was active during the late 19th century and early 20th century. He specialised in the French savate style of martial arts and in the art of stick fighting known as La canne which he heavily modified to better suit his theories of effective self...
; London-based boxer and fencer Rowland George Allanson-Winn
Rowland Allanson-Winn, 5th Baron Headley
thumb|Lord Headley with [[Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din]]Rowland George Allanson Allanson-Winn, 5th Baron Headley , also known as Shaikh Rahmatullah al-Farooq, was an Irish peer and a prominent convert to Islam, who was also one of the leading members of the Woking Muslim Mission alongside Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din...
; French journalist and self defence enthusiast Jean Joseph-Renaud; and British quarterstaff
Quarterstaff
A quarterstaff , also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon and a technique of stick fighting, especially as in use in England during the Early Modern period....
expert Thomas McCarthy.
The Society for Creative Anachronism
Society for Creative Anachronism
The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century...
has made its own reconstruction of medieval armored foot combat designed as a re-enactment friendly system, using real (modern-made) armor and weapons made largely of rattan, and regulated by a series of strict safety rules.http://mooneschadowe.ansteorra.org/newcomers/heavy.html. Members of some other reenactment groups may also pursue martial arts reconstruction, though the methods used in some reenacted battles are generally designed for safety and showmanship rather than historical accuracy.